Australian Football

Solid and unspectacular, but immensely reliable, Gary Colling gave the St Kilda Football Club loyal and committed service in 265 VFL games between 1969 and 1981. He joined the Saints from VFA side Frankston, and soon attracted respect as one of the hardest defenders to beat in the league. Highly determined and relentless, he also boasted an attacking side to his game, made manifest most noticeably through his creative use of handball. As a consummate team player it was highly appropriate when he was made St Kilda captain in 1978, but he only spent a year in the job. In his later years he began to spend more and more time on the ball, where his strength, courage and wholehearted determination were unleashed to good effect. After retiring as a player, Gary Colling continued to serve the Saints in a variety of off-field roles.

Author - John Devaney